kscans

Chapter 147 - The End of the Turmoil.

The chaos within the Church was immense.

The sudden roar and black smoke from the headquarters had filled the residents with anxiety. Was someone invading? Had a riot broken out? In the main square of the Church headquarters, a large crowd had gathered.

At the entrance, knights and soldiers were arguing.

"Let us in! We want to see what's happened!"

"I told you, you can't! The Commander has given orders that no one is to be allowed inside!"

Angry shouts echoed through the air.

Worry and fear dominated the atmosphere. Just then, the gates opened, and Knight Commander Altorine emerged.

Upon seeing her, the people cried out.

"Lady Altorine! What in the world is going on?!"

"What was that scream just now?!"

"Is the Church safe?!"

A chorus of voices filled the air.

Altorine stood in a place where everyone could see her.

"Quiet, please! I understand your concern. But everything is fine. The monster that roared has vanished somewhere. The knights are currently securing and investigating the surrounding area."

At these words, the people let out a collective sigh of relief.

To be honest, the fact that the monster hadn't been defeated was still a source of anxiety, but if it had disappeared somewhere, then at least the immediate danger was gone.

After waiting for the slight unrest to subside, Altorine continued.

"I have something to tell all of you. Everything that has happened in this Church..."

Altorine began to explain the plans of the Pope and the Archbishops.

The hidden research... the victims... the cover-up... the Pope's rejuvenation.

As the people heard this, a new wave of shock ran through them. The fact that the leadership had been doing such terrible things was a truth that was difficult for them to accept, and a sense of unease spread through the crowd.

Altorine said, "I understand how you feel. Because of the unforeseen circumstances, I am telling you this in this manner, but we will be releasing more detailed information at a later date. Please wait for a while longer."

With those words, Altorine returned inside the church.

The people left behind looked at each other, their faces filled with the question, "What do we do now?"

Seeing this, one of the knights said, "Everyone, please disperse and return to your daily lives."

At these words, the crowd finally began to move.

The people returned to their homes, lost in thought.

Inside the Church.

Although there had been a monster attack, only the research lab had been destroyed, and there were no human casualties. It was said that because the investigation was over, no one was inside, but even the knights who had rushed in were injured, not dead.

Even with coincidence and good fortune, it was all too unnatural.

As I was thinking this, Tina said, "Indeed, for a monster to only destroy property and then disappear is strange. It's natural to think that someone was controlling it. But who could it be?"

As we were pondering this, Altorine arrived.

"I agree with you on that point. However, according to the Cardinal, there are no outside parties involved in this matter. For now, we will put that on hold and prioritize improving the current situation. You two, please go to the room we have prepared for you."

She instructed us with a serious face.

Honestly, I had my own thoughts, but this was an unofficial request. It wasn't a matter that an adventurer, let alone an A-rank, should be involved in.

I said, "Understood. After we've rested, we'll leave the Church without being seen by the public. Is that all right?"

Altorine nodded at my words. "In that case, the knights will escort you. Under the pretext of an investigation."

She added a supplementary detail.

We nodded and were led to our room by a knight.

The next day at noon.

Altorine once again stood before the people and released the detailed information.

The three Archbishops involved in the incident were stripped of their status and sentenced to exile. However, as they could not be allowed to cause trouble in other countries, they were handed over to the royal family of the Republic, their closest ally, to be confined in a remote region. It was a punishment tantamount to imprisonment.

After that, a memorial service for the victims of the research began. During the service, the knight who had been framed in Altorine's earlier incident had his honor restored and was buried in the same manner. And with the Pope now gone, Cardinal Romel was supposed to take charge, but his injuries were so severe that he could not move properly. Therefore, Altorine officially accepted the position of acting Pope.

And then, we were summoned by Altorine.

"I have nothing but gratitude for you both. Thank you very much. This is your reward. Please accept it."

She handed us a tightly packed small bag.

I took it and looked inside to find it full of gold coins. I estimated there were at least a hundred.

I said, "I'll gladly accept it. In many ways."

Altorine nodded with a look of understanding at my loaded words.

This was an unofficial request that didn't go through the guild. Although it was to expose the Pope's corruption, from an outsider's perspective, it was treason. This money was both a thank you and a gesture of silence. Money in situations like this usually comes with a sense of guilt, but if we didn't accept it, she would worry.

She would worry that we might use this information to threaten her. Sometimes, accepting is what maintains the other party's peace of mind and trust.

And so, we joined the knights' investigation as a cover and parted ways in the forest. The knights also expressed their gratitude. Helping people isn't a bad thing, but to do it so openly is a bit embarrassing.

To move in the shadows and solve things in the shadows. For someone who doesn't want to stand out, it's the optimal way to move. But then, why is it that even though I'm supposed to be acting inconspicuously in the Kingdom and the Empire, the royalty and related parties always make it public? It really makes you think.

To this thought, Tina explained, "That's just how nations are. If they solve a problem themselves, they advertise it loudly. If someone else solves it, they have to give that person credit, or it will lead to irreparable consequences later. Losing trust affects the very survival of the nation."

She explained.

Similar things happen on Earth. Companies sometimes ship products that don't meet the original quality standards in order to meet a deadline. And if there's a problem with the product, they can just punish the person who sent it and proclaim that the company itself is not at fault.

So trust is absolute in any world, huh?

I returned to the Empire with mixed feelings.

The Imperial Capital.

We've been away for about a week, but it's common for adventurers to be absent for long periods. I returned home without giving it much thought, and there, at the entrance, was General Goltor.

Upon seeing us, the General said, "So you've returned. I have something to discuss regarding the border war. Could you let me in?"

We nodded at his words and went inside together.

We served tea, and the three of us sat down.

I asked, "So? Is something wrong at the border?"

To this question, the General replied, "No, that was a lie. I just said it so the people around wouldn't get suspicious. My real business is about the Church."

Seeing the General's somewhat accusatory tone, I asked, "Um... what do you mean?"

To my attempt at feigning ignorance, the General said, "It's useless. We've received information from the Church here as well. The Pope's death. The Archbishops' exile. It's become quite a major incident. And among the reports, I hear there was a man in Owari armor and a beautiful woman in gray armor. I don't like to beat around the bush, so I'll be direct. Why did you get involved with the Church?"

His face said that he would not tolerate any lies.

We looked at each other. My Japanese armor. The effect of my skill on her beauty. It would be difficult to talk our way out of this.

I said, "General. Could you please not share what we discuss here with anyone other than Her Majesty?"

The General nodded silently at my words.

With a gesture of thanks, I explained the whole story.

After I had finished speaking, the General said, "Hah... Even if it was a request from the Knight Commander, a job that doesn't go through the guild... is what I'd like to say, but given the circumstances, I suppose it couldn't be helped. But let this be the last time. Your achievements are splendid. That's why you shouldn't do anything that would damage your reputation. For both our sakes."

He emphasized.

For both our sakes. In other words, it's not good for an A-rank adventurer recognized by the state to accept unofficial requests. Even if the client is a good person.

I replied with a tired face, "I'll make sure of it. I'm really tired this time."

Even though I don't want to stand out, I'd committed illegal entry and high treason. Even if it was to punish a villain, what I did was a crime. I'm not the protagonist of some period drama.

The General said, "As long as you understand, that's fine. Well then, I'll be taking my leave. You should go home to the Kingdom sometimes too. You're an A-rank there as well, you know."

With those parting words, the General left the house.

Left behind, Tina and I...

"Do I have to be active in the Kingdom too?"

To my weary question, Tina stated concisely, "That is the fate of a high-ranking adventurer."

I sighed and thought about my future activities. A hunter and an adventurer. At first, I thought it would be easy to do both. Why did it become so difficult? I seriously pondered.